The Departure will feature the work of two of its talented early-career investigators at the Researchers on the Rise Lectures on November 17, 2023 - Drs. Rachel Vaughn-Coaxum and Frances Wang.
The Influence of Childhood Adversity on Psychotherapy Skill Learning Processes in Adolescent Depression
Rachel Vaughn-Coaxum, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Dr. Vaughn-Coaxum studies how childhood adversity can influence depression treatment response. Her research has shown that for some adolescents, childhood adversity can be associated with the employment of ineffective stress-management strategies. Additionally, in her clinical work, Dr. Vaughn-Coaxum has observed that for many young, depressed patients who experience prolonged adversity, disruption of their daily lives can cause them to be less likely than other patients to remember or practice skills learned in prior sessions. As principal investigator of a National Institute of Mental Health K23 award, Dr. Vaughn-Coaxum examines how childhood adversity may increase risk for treatment non-response. She aims to identify the biobehavioral domains of deficits that underlie this risk, with the long-term goal of enhancing the effectiveness of interventions for depression among young people who have experienced adversity.
Improving the Measurement of Alcohol Use Disorder and Its Related Phenotypes
Frances Wang, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Dr. Wang’s research focuses on genetic and environmental factors involved in the developmental progression to alcohol use disorder (AUD). During her postdoctoral training under the mentorship of Dr. Molina, Dr. Wang investigated the influence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in childhood on AUD. Under the mentorship of Dr. Devlin, she gained exposure to statistical genetics. Dr. Wang is currently principal investigator (PI) of a NIAAA-funded K award focused on the intersection of genetics and the development of AUDs by investigating the development of genetically based pathways underlying problematic alcohol use.
This lecture will be offered as a hybrid event. Join us in-person in the UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital Auditorium or attend remotely using the Zoom information below:
Link: https://pitt.zoom.us/j/98400349597
Passcode: 369754
For More Information. Please contact Shardai Key Ward at keysj4@upmc.edu.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS. The entirety of this program will be a lecture by the speaker(s). All individuals able to control the content of this educational activity are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any proprietary entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services, used on, or consumed by, patients. Registration is not required for this event. This event is free and there will be no refunds. The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Each physician should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals are awarded .15 continuing education units (CEUs), which are equal to 1.5 contact hours. In accordance with Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education requirements on disclosure, information about relationships of presenters with commercial interests (if any) will be included in materials which will be distributed at the time of the conference. WPH is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. WPH maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. This program is being offered for 1.5 continuing education credits. The indicated number of clock hours of continuing education is provided through UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital’s Office of Educational Resources and Planning, a PA-approved provider of social work continuing education in accordance with all the applicable educational and professional standards of the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapist. These clock hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW, LPC and LMFT renewal. For more information, call (412) 204-9085.
